In a uniquely intimate conversation with VICE Autobiographies, Pusha T talks about his rise in the music industry, the pivotal moment that lead to the dissolution of The Clipse, his relationship with his brother Gene and how he has no choice but to convert tragedy into art.

The Virginia Beach denizen spoke to Microphone Check about the reverse troll he laid on Def Jam with Darkest Before Dawn, what it’s like to go back and forth with Puffy, the fallacies of textbooks, the perils of ignoring the youth and where he’s going with King Push.